Wave antenna wireless communication device and method

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna that provides greater increased durability and impedance matching. The wave antenna is a conductor that is curved in alternating sections. The wireless communication device is coupled to the wave antenna to provide wireless communication. The wireless communication device and wave antenna may be placed on objects, goods, or other articles of manufacture that are subject to forces such that the wave antenna may be stretched or compressed during the manufacture and/or use of such object, good or article of manufacture. The wave antenna, because of its curved structure, is capable of stretching and compressing more easily than other structures, reducing the wireless communication device&#39;s susceptibility to damage or breakage that might render the wireless communication device coupled to the wave antenna unable to properly communicate information wirelessly.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/228,180,filed Aug. 26, 2002, which is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 10/012,206, filed Oct. 29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,910.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wave antenna coupled to a wirelesscommunication device so that the wireless communication device canwirelessly communicate information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless communication devices are commonly used today to wirelesslycommunicate information about goods. For example, transponders may beattached to goods during their manufacture, transport and/ordistribution to provide information, such as the good's identificationnumber, expiration date, date of manufacture or “born on” date, lotnumber, and the like. The transponder allows this information to beobtained unobtrusively using wireless communication without slowing downthe manufacturing, transportation, and/or distribution process.

Some goods involve environmental factors that are critical to theirmanufacture and/or intended operation. An example of such a good is avehicle tire. It may be desirable to place a wireless communicationdevice in a tire so that information regarding the tire, such as atire's identification, pressure, temperature, and other environmentalinformation, can be wirelessly communicated to an interrogation readerduring the tire's manufacture and/or use.

Tire pressure monitoring may be particularly important since thepressure in a tire governs its proper operation and safety in use. Forexample, too little pressure in a tire during its use can cause-a tireto be damaged by the weight Of a vehicle supported by the tire. Too muchpressure can cause a tire to rupture. Tire pressure must be testedduring the manufacturing process to ensure that the tire meets intendeddesign specifications. The tire pressure should also be within a certainpressure limits during use in order to avoid dangerous conditions.Knowledge of the tire pressure during the operation of a vehicle can beused to inform an operator and/or vehicle system that a tire has adangerous pressure condition. The vehicle may indicate a pressurecondition by generating an alarm or warning signal to the operator ofthe vehicle.

During the manufacturing process of a tire, the rubber materialcomprising the vehicle tire is violently stretched during itsmanufacture before taking final shape. Wireless communication devicesplaced inside tires during their manufacture must be able to withstandthis stretching and compression and still be able to operate properlyafter the completion of the tire's manufacture. Since wirelesscommunication devices are typically radio-frequency communicationdevices, an antenna must be coupled to the wireless communication devicefor communication. This antenna and wireless communication devicecombination may be placed in the inside of the tire along its inner wallor inside the rubber of tire, for example. This results in stretchingand compression of the wireless communication device and antennawhenever the tire is stretched and compressed. Often, the antenna isstretched and subsequently damaged or broken, thereby eitherdisconnecting the wireless communication device from an antenna orchanging the length of the antenna, which changes the operatingfrequency of the antenna. In either case, the wireless communicationdevice may be unable to communicate properly when the antenna is damagedor broken.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an antennafor a wireless communication device that can withstand a force, such asstretching or compression, and not be susceptible to damage or a break.In this manner, a high level of operability can be achieved withwireless communication devices coupled to antennas for applicationswhere a force is placed on the antenna.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wave antenna that is coupled to awireless communication device, such as a transponder, to wirelesslycommunicate information. The wave antenna is a conductor. The waveantenna may be shaped in the form of a sinusoid to form asinusoidal-shaped wave antenna or a semi-circle to form asemi-circle-shaped wave antenna. The wave antenna is formed by a curveplaced in a substantially straight conductor to form at least twodifferent sections wherein at least one section of the conductor iscurved at an angle of less than 180 degrees with respect to the other.

The wave antenna is capable of stretching when subjected to a forcewithout being damaged. The wave antenna can also provide improvedimpedance matching capability between the antenna and a wirelesscommunication device because of the reactive interaction betweendifferent sections of the antenna conductor. In general, varying thecharacteristics of the conductor wire of the wave antenna, such asdiameter, the angle of the curves, the lengths of the sections formed bythe curves, the period, phase, and/or amplitude of the sinusoid, and thetype of conductor wire, will modify the cross coupling and, hence, theimpedance of the wave antenna.

In a first wave antenna embodiment, a wireless communication device iscoupled to a single conductor sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna to form amonopole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna.

In a second wave antenna embodiment, a wireless communication device iscoupled to two conductor wave antennas to form a dipole wave antenna.

In a third wave antenna embodiment, a dipole wave antenna is comprisedout of conductors having different sections having different lengths.The first section is coupled to the wireless communication device andforms a first antenna having a first operating frequency. The secondsection is coupled to the first section and forms a second antennahaving a second operating frequency. The wireless communication deviceis capable of communicating at each of these two frequencies formed bythe first antenna and the second antenna.

In a fourth wave antenna embodiment, a dipole wave antenna is comprisedout of conductive sections having different amplitudes. A first section,having a first amplitude, is coupled to the wireless communicationdevice and forms a first antenna having a first operating frequency. Thesecond section, having a second amplitude different from the amplitudeof the first section, is coupled to the first section to form a secondantenna having a second operating frequency. The wireless communicationdevice is capable of communicating at each of these two frequenciesformed by the first antenna and the second antenna. Each pole of thewave antenna is symmetrical.

In a fifth wave antenna embodiment, an asymmetrical dipole wave antennais comprised out of conductive sections having different amplitudes. Afirst conductor, having a first amplitude, is coupled to the wirelesscommunication device to form one pole of the dipole wave antenna. Thesecond conductor, having a second amplitude different from the amplitudeof the first pole, is coupled to the wireless communication device toform the second pole of the dipole wave antenna.

In a sixth wave antenna embodiment, an asymmetrical dipole wave antennais comprised out of conductive sections having different lengths. Afirst conductor, having a first length, is coupled to the wirelesscommunication device to form one pole of the dipole wave antenna. Thesecond conductor, having a second length different from the length ofthe first pole, is coupled to the wireless communication device to formthe second pole of the dipole wave antenna.

In a seventh wave antenna embodiment, a resonating conductor isadditionally coupled to the wireless communication device to provide asecond antenna operating at a second operating frequency. The resonatingring may also act as a stress relief for force placed on the waveantenna so that such force is not placed on the wireless communicationdevice.

In another embodiment, the wireless communication device is coupled to awave antenna and is placed inside a tire so that information can bewirelessly communicated from the tire to an interrogation reader. Thewave antenna is capable of stretching and compressing, without beingdamaged, as the tire is stretched and compressed during its manufactureand pressurization during use on a vehicle.

In another embodiment, the interrogation reader determines the pressureinside a tire by the response from a wireless communication devicecoupled to a wave antenna placed inside the tire. When the tire and,therefore, the wave antenna stretch to a certain length indicative thatthe tire is at a certain threshold pressure, the length of the antennawill be at the operating frequency of the interrogation reader so thatthe wireless communication device is capable of responding to theinterrogation reader.

In another embodiment, a method of manufacture is disclosed on onemethod of manufacturing the wave antenna out of a straight conductor andattaching wireless communication devices to the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna. The uncut string of wireless communication devices and waveantennas form one continuous strip that can be wound on a reel and laterunwound, cut and applied to a good, object, or article of manufacture.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentinvention and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an interrogation reader and wirelesscommunication device system that may be used with the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a monopole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications;

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of a monopole semi-circle-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications;

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of a dipole semi-circle-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antennacoupled to a wireless communication device wherein a first portion ofthe sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna operates at a first frequency and asecond portion of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna coupled to thefirst portion operates at a second frequency;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications wherein each sinusoidal-shaped pole conductor comprisestwo sections each having different amplitudes;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of a dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications wherein one sinusoidal-shaped pole conductor has anamplitude larger than the other sinusoidal-shaped pole conductor;

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of a dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications wherein one sinusoidal-shaped pole conductor is longerthan the other sinusoidal-shaped pole conductor;

FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of a dipole semi-circle-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications wherein each semi-circle-shaped pole conductor comprisestwo sections each having different amplitudes;

FIG. 4E is a schematic diagram of a dipole semi-circle-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications wherein one semi-circle-shaped pole conductor has anamplitude larger than the other semi-circle-shaped pole conductor;

FIG. 4F is a schematic diagram of a dipole semi-circle-shaped waveantenna coupled to a wireless communication device for wirelesscommunications wherein one semi-circle-shaped pole conductor is longerthan the other semi-circle-shaped pole conductor;

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of a sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna and aring resonator both coupled to a wireless communication device whereinthe sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna operates at a first frequency and thering resonator operates at a second frequency;

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna anda ring resonator as illustrated in FIG. 5A, except that the ringresonator is additionally mechanically coupled to the sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna as a mechanical stress relief;

FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment to FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram of a semi-circle-shaped wave antenna anda ring resonator both coupled to a wireless communication device whereinthe semi-circle-shaped wave antenna operates at a first frequency andthe ring resonator operates at a second frequency;

FIG. 5E is a schematic diagram of the semi-circle-shaped wave antennaand a ring resonator as illustrated in FIG. 5A, except that the ringresonator is additionally mechanically coupled to the semi-circle-shapedwave antenna as a mechanical stress relief;

FIG. 5F is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment to FIG. 5E;

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of asinusoidal-shaped wave antenna and wireless communication device;

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of a compressed version of thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna illustrated in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of asemicircle-shaped wave antenna and wireless communication device;

FIG. 6D is a schematic diagram of a compressed version of thesemi-circle-shaped wave antenna illustrated in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of with modifications to the section ofthe wave antenna to spread the bend angle of the conductive section overa larger linear length of the bend;

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device andsinusoidal-shaped wave antenna attached to the inside of a tire forwireless communication of information about the tire;

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of the wireless communication device andsinusoidal-shaped wave antenna of FIG. 8A, except that the tire is underpressure and is stretching the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram of a tire pressure detection systemexecuted by an interrogation reader by communicating with a wirelesscommunication device coupled to a sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna insidea tire like that illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a reporting system for informationwirelessly communicated from a tire to an interrogation reader;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a process of manufacturing asinusoidal-shaped wave antenna and coupling the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna to a wireless communication device;

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of an inductance tuning short providedby the manufacturing process illustrated in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment ofinductance tuning short provided by the manufacturing process of FIG.11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a wave antenna that is coupled to awireless communication device, such as a transponder, to wirelesslycommunicate information. The wave antenna may be a conductor shaped inthe form of a sinusoid to form a sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna, or asemi-circle to form a semi-circle-shaped wave antenna. The wave antennais formed by a curve placed in a substantially straight conductor toform at least two different sections wherein at least one section of theconductor is curved at an angle of less than 180 degrees with respect tothe other.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pendingpatent application Ser. No. 10/012,206 entitled “Wave Antenna WirelessCommunication Device and Method,” which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. This application claims priority to patentapplication Ser. No. 10/012,206.

A wave antenna has curves that allow stretching or compressing of theconductor comprising the antenna without being damaged when subjected toa force. A sharp bend in a conductor wire, as opposed to a curved designof the present invention, may introduce the potential for a failurepoint at the position of the sharp bend.

A wave antenna can also provide improved impedance matching capabilitybetween the antenna and a wireless communication device because of thereactive interaction between different sections of the antennaconductor. In general, varying the characteristics of the conductor wireof the wave antenna, such as diameter, the angle of the curves, thelengths of the sections formed by the curves, and the type of conductorwire, will modify the cross coupling and, hence, the impedance of thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna.

Before discussing the particular aspects and applications of the waveantenna as illustrated in FIGS. 2-11 of this application, a wirelesscommunication system that may be used with the present invention isdiscussed below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication device and communicationsystem that may be used with the present invention. The wirelesscommunication device 10 is capable of communicating informationwirelessly and may include a control system 12, communicationelectronics 14, and memory 16. The wireless communication device 10 mayalso be known as a radio-frequency identification device (RFID). Thecommunication electronics 14 is coupled to an antenna 17 for wirelesslycommunicating information in radio-frequency signals. The communicationelectronics 14 is capable of receiving modulated radio-frequency signalsthrough the antenna 17 and demodulating these signals into informationpassed to the control system 12. The antenna 17 may be any type ofantenna, including but not limited to a pole or slot antenna. Theantenna 17 may be internal or external to the wireless communicationdevice 10.

The control system 12 may be any type of circuitry or processor thatreceives and processes information received by the communicationelectronics 14, including a micro-controller or microprocessor. Thewireless communication device 10 may also contain a memory 16 forstorage of information. Such information may be any type of informationabout goods, objects, or articles of manufacture, including but notlimited to identification, tracking, environmental information, such aspressure and temperature, and other pertinent information. The memory 16may be electronic memory, such as random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, diode, etc., or the memory 16 may bemechanical memory, such as a switch, dipswitch, etc.

The control system 12 may also be coupled to sensors that senseenvironmental information concerning the wireless communication device10. For instance, the control system 12 may be coupled to a pressuresensor 18 to sense the pressure on the wireless communication device 10and/or its surroundings. The control system 12 may also be coupled to atemperature sensor 19 to sense the temperature of the wirelesscommunication device 10 or the ambient temperature around the wirelesscommunication device 10. More information on different types of pressuresensors 18 that can be used to couple to the control system aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,299,349 and 6,272,936, entitled “Pressureand temperature sensor” and “Pressure sensor,” respectively, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The temperature sensor 19 may be contained within the wirelesscommunication device 10, or external to the wireless communicationdevice 10. The temperature sensor 19 may be any variety of temperaturesensing elements, such as a thermistor or chemical device. One suchtemperature sensor 19 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,524, entitled“Temperature sensor,” incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.The temperature sensor 19 may also be incorporated into the wirelesscommunication device 10 or its control system 12, like that described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,961,215, entitled “Temperature sensor integral withmicroprocessor and methods of using same,” incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. However, note that the present invention isnot limited to any particular type of temperature sensor 19.

Some wireless communication devices 10 are termed “active” devices inthat they receive and transmit data using their own energy sourcecoupled to the wireless communication device 10. A wirelesscommunication device 10 may use a battery for power as described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,130,602 entitled “Radio frequency data communicationsdevice,” or may use other forms of energy, such as a capacitor asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,603, entitled “Implantable biosensingtransponder.” Both of the preceding patents are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Other wireless communication devices 10 are termed “passive” devicesmeaning that they do not actively transmit and therefore may not includetheir own energy source for power. One type of passive wirelesscommunication device 10 is known as a “transponder.” A transpondereffectively transmits information by reflecting back a received signalfrom an external communication device, such as an interrogation reader.An example of a transponder is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,280,entitled “Frequency diversity transponder arrangement,” incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Another example of a transponder isdescribed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/678,271,entitled “Wireless communication device and method,” incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIG. 1 depicts communication between a wireless communication device 10and an interrogation reader 20. The interrogation reader 20 may includea control system 22, an interrogation communication electronics 24,memory 26, and an interrogation antenna 28. The interrogation antenna 28may be any type of antenna, including a pole antenna or a slot antenna.The interrogation reader 20 may also contain its own internal energysource 30, or the interrogation reader 20 may be powered through anexternal power source. The energy source 30 may include batteries, acapacitor, solar cell or other medium that contains energy. The energysource 30 may also be rechargeable. A timer 23 may also be coupled tothe control system 22 for performing tasks that require timingoperations.

The interrogation reader 20 communicates with the wireless communicationdevice 10 by emitting an electronic signal 32 modulated by theinterrogation communication electronics 24 through the interrogationantenna 28. The interrogation antenna 28 may be any type of antenna thatcan radiate a signal 32 through a field 34 so that a reception device,such as a wireless communication device 10, can receive such signal 32through its own antenna 17. The field 34 may be electromagnetic,magnetic, or electric. The signal 32 may be a message containinginformation and/or a specific request for the wireless communicationdevice 10 to perform a task or communicate back information. When theantenna 17 is in the presence of the field 34 emitted by theinterrogation reader 20, the communication electronics 14 are energizedby the energy in the signal 32, thereby energizing the wirelesscommunication device 10. The wireless communication device 10 remainsenergized so long as its antenna 17 is in the field 34 of theinterrogation reader 20. The communication electronics 14 demodulatesthe signal 32 and sends the message containing information and/orrequest to the control system 12 for appropriate actions.

It is readily understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that thereare many other types of wireless communications devices andcommunication techniques than those described herein, and the presentinvention is not limited to a particular type of wireless communicationdevice, technique or method.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first embodiment of a wave antenna 17 coupled to awireless communication device 10 for wireless communication. Thisembodiment illustrates a monopole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. Thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 is formed by a conducting material,such as a wire or foil for example, that is curved in alternatingsections to form a sinusoidal shape that resembles a sine or cosinewaveform. The sinusoidal-shaped sections form a series of peaks andvalleys in the conductor. Any type of material can be used to form thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 so long as the material can conductelectrical energy, including but not limited to copper, brass, steel,zinc-plated steel, spring brass, and brass coated spring steel.

A wave antenna 17 in its broadest form is a conductor that is curved inat least one position at an angle less than 180 degrees to form at leasttwo different sections 21. The monopole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna17 in this embodiment contains seven alternating curves to form asinusoidal-shaped wave. The monopole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17is coupled, by either a direct or reactive coupling, to an input port(not shown) on the wireless communication device 10 to provide anantenna 17 for wireless communications. Since the wireless communicationdevice 10 contains another input port that is coupled to the monopolesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17, this additional input port isgrounded.

A wave antenna 17 may be particularly advantageous to use with awireless communication device 10 in lieu of a straight antenna. Oneadvantage of a wave antenna 17 is that it is tolerant to stretchingwithout substantial risk of damage or breakage to the conductor. Certaintypes of goods, objects, or articles of manufacture may encounter aforce, such as stretching or compression, during their manufactureand/or normal use. If a wireless communication device 10 uses a straightconductor as antenna 17 and is attached to goods, objects, or articlesof manufacture that are subjected to a force during their manufacture oruse, the antenna 17 may be damaged or broken when the good, object orarticle of manufacture is subjected to such force. If the antenna 17 isdamaged or broken, this may cause the wireless communication device 10to be incapable of wireless communication since a change in the lengthor shape of the conductor in the antenna 17 may change the operatingfrequency of the antenna 17.

A wave antenna 17, because of its curved sections 21, also causes thefield emitted by the conductors in sections 21 to capacitively couple toother sections 21 of the wave antenna 17. This results in improvedimpedance matching with the wireless communication device 10 to providegreater and more efficient energy transfer between the wirelesscommunication device 10 and the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. As iswell known to one of ordinary skill in the art, the most efficientenergy transfer occurs between a wireless communication device 10 and anantenna 17 when the impedance of the antenna 17 is the complex conjugateof the impedance of the wireless communication device 10.

The impedance of a straight conductor antenna 17 is dependant on thetype, size, and shape of the conductor. The length of the antenna 17 isthe primary variable that determines the operating frequency of theantenna 17. Unlike a straight conductor antenna 17, a wave antenna 17can also be varied in other ways not possible in a straight conductorantenna 17. In a wave antenna 17, other variables exist in the design ofthe antenna in addition to the type, size, shape and length of theconductor. The impedance of a wave antenna 17 can also be varied byvarying the length of the individual sections 21 of the conductor makingup the wave antenna 17, the angle between these individual sections 21,and the phase, period, and amplitude of the sections 21, in addition tothe traditional variables available in straight conductor antennas 17.These additional variables available in wave antennas 17 can be variedwhile maintaining the overall length of the conductor so that theoperating frequency of the wave antenna 17 is maintained. In thisembodiment, the lengths of the individual sections 21 and the anglesbetween the individual sections 21 are the same; however, they do nothave to be.

It may be beneficial to heat selectively parts of the conductive wirethat forms the wave antenna 17 to reduce the stress in the wave antenna17 to prevent breakage. This could be done in a number of waysincluding, but not limited to gas jets, clamps, or conductive clampspassing a high current through areas of the wave antenna 17.

In summary, a wave antenna 17 provides the ability to alter and selectadditional variables not possible in straight conductor antennas 17 thataffect the impedance of the antenna 17, thereby creating a greaterlikelihood that a sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna's 17 impedance can bedesigned to more closely match the impedance of the wirelesscommunication device 10. Of course, as is well known by one of ordinaryskill in the art, the type of materials attached to the wave antenna 17and the material's dielectric properties also vary the impedance andoperating frequency of the wave antenna 17. These additional variablesshould also be taken into account in the final design of the waveantenna 17. The reactive cross-coupling that occurs between differentsections 21 of the wave antenna 17 also contribute to greater impedancematching capability of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 to awireless communication device 10. More information on impedance matchingbetween a wireless communication device 10 and an antenna 17 forefficient transfer of energy is disclosed in U.S. pending patentapplication Ser. No. 09/536,334, entitled “Remote communication usingslot antenna,” incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 2B illustrates a sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 2A; however, the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna inFIG. 2B is a dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. Two conductors17A, 17B are coupled to the wireless communication device 10 to providewireless communications. In this embodiment, the length of theconductors 17A, 17B that form the dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna17 are each 84 millimeters in length. The dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 operates at a frequency of 915 MHz. In this embodiment, thelengths of the individual sections 21 and the angles between theindividual sections 21 that make up the dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 are the same; however, they do not have to be.

FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 2A, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2A is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 2D illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 2B, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2B is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 where the lengths of the individual sections 21 and the anglebetween the individual sections 21 are not the same. Two conductors arecoupled to the wireless communication device 10 to create a dipolesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. The first conductor is comprised outof two sections 21A, 21C, each having a different number of sections 21and lengths. The two sections 21A, 21C are also symmetrically containedin the second conductor 21B, 21D. This causes the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 to act as a dipole antenna that resonates and receivessignals at two different operating frequencies so that the wirelesscommunication device 10 is capable of communicating at two differentfrequencies.

The first symmetrical sections 21A, 21B are 30.6 millimeters or λ/4 inlength and are coupled to the wireless communication device 10 so thatthe sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 is capable of receiving 2.45 GHzsignals. The second symmetrical sections 21C, 21D are coupled to thefirst sections 21A, 21B, respectively, to form a second dipole antennafor receiving signals at a second frequency. In this embodiment, thesecond sections 21C, 21D are 70 millimeters in length and are coupled tothe first sections 21A, 21B, respectively, to form lengths that aredesigned to receive 915 MHz signals. Also note that curves in theconductor in the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 are not constant. Thecurves in the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 that are made upward aremade at an angle of less than 180 degrees. The curves in thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 that are made downward are made at anangle of 180 degrees.

Note that it is permissible for the curves in sections 21 of theconductor to be 180 degrees so long as all of the sections 21 in theconductor are not curved at 180 degrees with respect to adjacentsections 21. If all of the sections 21 in the conductor are curved at180 degrees, then the conductor will effectively be a straight conductorantenna 17 and not a sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17.

Note that the wave antenna 17 illustrated in FIG. 3 could also beimplemented using semi-circle-shaped sections 21.

FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of a sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 where the amplitudes of the individual sections 21 that formthe sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 are not the same. Two conductorsare coupled to the wireless communication device 10 to create a dipolesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. The first conductor is comprised outof two sections 21A, 21C, each having a different number of sections 21and different amplitudes. The two sections 21A, 21C are alsosymmetrically contained in the second conductor 21B, 21D. This causesthe sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 to act as a dipole antenna thatresonates and receives signals at two different operating frequencies sothat the wireless communication device 10 is capable of communicating attwo different frequencies.

FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of an asymmetricalsinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 where the amplitude of a first poleantenna 17A of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 has a differentamplitude than the second pole antenna 17B of the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17. More information on asymmetrical pole antennas is disclosedon co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/678,271, entitled “WirelessCommunication Device and Method,” assigned to the same assignee as thepresent invention, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment of an asymmetricalsinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 where the length of a first poleantenna 17A of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 is of a differentlength than the second pole antenna 17B of the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17. Note that the embodiments of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C may becombined to created an asymmetrical dipole wave antenna 17 wherein thepole antennas 17A, 17B contain different lengths, different amplitudes,including different amplitudes within different sections 21, of a poleantenna 17A, 17B.

FIG. 4D illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 4A, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4A is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 4E illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 4B, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4B is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 4F illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 4C, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4C is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

Note that the embodiments of FIGS. 4D, 4E, and 4F may be combined tocreated an asymmetrical dipole wave antenna 17 wherein the pole antennas17A, 17B contain different lengths, different amplitudes, includingdifferent amplitudes within different sections 21, of a pole antenna17A, 17B.

FIG. 5A illustrates another embodiment of the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 coupled to the wireless communication device 10 wherein thewireless communication device 10 is configured to receive signals at twodifferent frequencies. A sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 similar thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 illustrated in FIG. 2B is coupled tothe wireless communication device 10 to form a dipole sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna 17. A resonating ring 40 is also capacitively coupled tothe wireless communication device 10 to provide a second antenna 17 thatoperates at a second and different frequency from the operatingfrequency of the dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. Theresonating ring 40 may be constructed out of any type of material solong as the material is conductive.

This embodiment may be particularly advantageous if it is necessary forthe wireless communication device 10 to be capable of wirelesslycommunicating regardless of the force, such as stretching orcompression, exerted on the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. Theresonating ring 40 is designed to remain in its original shaperegardless of the application of any force that may be placed on thewireless communication device 10 or a good, object, or article ofmanufacture that contains the wireless communication device 10.Depending on the force exerted on the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17or a good, object or article of manufacture that contains thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 and wireless communication device 10,the length of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 may change, therebychanging the operating frequency of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna17. The new operating frequency of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17may be sufficiently different from the normal operating frequency suchthat sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 and the wireless communicationdevice 10 could not receive and/or demodulate signals sent by theinterrogation reader 20. The resonating ring 40 is capable of receivingsignals 32 regardless of the state of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna17.

FIG. 5B also illustrates an embodiment of the present inventionemploying a dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 that operates at915 MHz and a resonating ring 40 that operates at 2.45 GHz. The dipolesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 and the resonating ring 40 are bothcoupled to the wireless communication device 10 to allow the wirelesscommunication device 10 to operate at two different frequencies.However, in this embodiment, the conductors of the dipolesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 are looped around the resonating ring40 at a first inductive turn 42A and a second inductive turn 42B. Inthis manner, any force placed on the dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 will place such force on the resonating ring 40 instead ofthe wireless communication device 10.

This embodiment may be advantageous in cases where a force, placed onthe dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 without providing a reliefmechanism other than the wireless communication device 10 itself wouldpossibly cause the dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 todisconnect from the wireless communication device 10, thus causing thewireless communication device 10 to be unable to wirelessly communicate.The resonating ring 40 may be constructed out of a stronger materialthan the connecting point between the dipole sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 and the wireless communication device 10, thereby providingthe ability to absorb any force placed on the dipole sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna 17 without damaging the resonating ring 40. This embodimentmay also be particularly advantageous if the wireless communicationdevice 10 is placed on a good, object or article of manufacture thatundergoes force during its manufacture or use, such as a rubber tire,for example.

FIG. 5C illustrates another embodiment similar to those illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B. However, the resonating ring 40 is directly coupled tothe wireless communication device 10, and the dipole sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna 17 is directly coupled to the resonating ring 10. A firstand second conducting attachments 44A, 44B are used to couple theresonating ring 40 to the wireless communication device 10. A forceexerted on the dipole sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 is exerted onand absorbed by the resonating ring 40 rather than wirelesscommunication device 10 so that the wireless communication device 10 isnot damaged.

FIG. 5D illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 5A, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 5A is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 5E illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 5B, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 5B is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 5F illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 5C, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 5C is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment of the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 that is stretched wherein the curves in the conductor are atangles close to 180 degrees, but slightly less, to form sections 21close to each other. The coupling between the individual elements in thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 will be strong due to the proximity.Therefore, a small change in stretching of the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 will have a large effect on the operating frequency of thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17. Since the change in the operatingfrequency will be great, it will be easier for a small stretching of thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 to change the operating frequency ofthe sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17.

FIG. 6B illustrates the same sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 andwireless communication device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6A; however; thesinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 is not being stretched. When thissinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 is not being stretched, the curvedsections in the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 touch each other toeffectively act as a regular dipole antenna without angled sections 21.In this embodiment, each pole 17A, 17B of the sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna 17 in its normal form is 30.6 millimeters long and has anoperating frequency of 2.45 GHz such that the wireless communicationdevice 10 is capable of responding to a frequency of 2.45 GHz.

FIG. 6C illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 6A, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 6A is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 6D illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 6B, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 6B is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the conductive section21 of the wave antenna 17 wherein the width of the section 21 isdynamically altered along the length of the shape of the section 21. Theconductive section 21 could be modified from a constant diameter bysqueezing in a die. This embodiment spreads the bending effect along theconductive section 21 so that the wave antenna 17 is less susceptible tobreaking. For example, the majority of the angular bend in theconductive section 21 occurs at the peak 33 of the conductive section 21making the peak 31 the most likely place for the wave antenna 17 tobreak. However, if the peak 33 section of the conductive section 21 ismade thicker, and a series of areas on either side of the peak are madethinner, the bend angle is spread over the bend more thereby reducingthe probability of breakage.

FIG. 8A illustrates one type of article of manufacture that undergoesforce during its manufacture and use and that may include a wirelesscommunication device 10 and wave antenna 17 like that illustrated inFIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D. This embodiment includes a rubber tire 50 wellknown in the prior art that is used on transportation vehicles. The tire50 is designed to be pressurized with air when placed inside a tire 50mounted on a vehicle wheel forming a seal between the wheel and the tire50. The tire 50 is comprised of a tread surface 52 that has a certaindefined thickness 53. The tread surface 52 has a left outer side 54, aright outer side 56 and an orifice 58 in the center where the tire 50 isdesigned to fit on a wheel. The left outer side 54 and right outer side56 are curved downward at angles substantially perpendicular to theplane of the tread surface 52 to form a left outer wall 60 and a rightouter wall 62. When the left outer wall 60 and right outer wall 62 areformed, a left inner wall 64 and a right inner wall (not shown) on theinside of right outer wall 62 are also formed as well. Additionally,depending on the type of tire 50, a steel belt 68 may also be includedinside the rubber of the tire 50 under the surface of the tread surface52 for increased performance and life. More information on theconstruction and design of a typical tire 50 is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,554,242, entitled “Method for making a multi-component tire,”incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In this embodiment, a wireless communication device 10 and dipole waveantenna 17 are attached on the inner surface of the tire 50 on the innerside of the tread surface 52. During the manufacturing of a tire 50, therubber in the tire 50 undergoes a lamination process whereby the tire 50may be stretched up to approximately 1.6 times its normal size and thenshrunk back down to the normal dimensions of a wheel. If a wirelesscommunication device 10 is placed inside the tire 50 during themanufacturing process, the wireless communication device 10 and antenna17 must be able to withstand the stretching and shrinking that a tire 50undergoes without being damaged. The wave antenna 17 of the presentinvention is particularly suited for this application since the waveantenna 17 can stretch and compress without damaging the conductor ofthe sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17.

Also, a tire 50 is inflated with a gas, such as air, to a pressureduring its normal operation. If the wireless communication device 10 andantenna 17 are placed inside the tread surface 52 or inside the tire 50,the wireless communication device 10 and antenna 17 will stretch andcompress depending on the pressure level in the tire 50. The morepressure contained in the tire 50, the more the tire 50 will stretch.Therefore, any wireless communication device 10 and antenna 17 that iscontained inside the tire 50 or inside the rubber of the tire 50 must beable to withstand this stretching without being damaged and/or affectingthe proper operation of the wireless communication device 10.

FIG. 8B illustrates the same tire illustrated in FIG. 8A. However, inthis embodiment, the tire 50 is under a pressure and has stretched thedipole wave antenna 17. Because the dipole wave antenna 17 is capable ofstretching without being damaged or broken, the dipole wave antenna 17is not damaged and does not break when the tire 50 is stretched whensubjected to a pressure. Note that the wave antenna 17 placed inside thetire 50 could also be a monopole wave antenna 17, as illustrated in FIG.2A or 2D, or any other variation of the wave antenna 17, including thewave antennas 17 illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D,4E, 4F, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D. Also, note that thewireless communication device 10 and wave antenna 17 could be providedanywhere on the inside of the tire 50, including inside the thickness 53of the tread surface 52, the left inner wall 64 or the right inner wall(not shown) on the inside of right outer wall 62.

At a given frequency, the length of the wave antenna 17 for optimumcoupling is affected by the electrical properties of the materialsurrounding, and in contact with, the conductive portions of the antenna17. Since the rubber of the tire 50 may contain large amounts of “carbonblack”, a relatively conductive material, an insulating material havingthe necessary electrical properties, may be required to encapsulate themetal of the antenna 17 with a non-conductive coating (not shown) toinsulate it from the rubber of the tire 50. In other cases the length ofthe antenna 17 elements must be tuned in length to match the electricalproperties of the surrounding material, as is well known issue withantennas.

Note that the wave antenna 17 discussed above and illustrated in FIGS.7A and 7B may be sinusoidal-shaped and semi-circle shaped.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart process wherein the interrogation reader20 is designed to communicate with the wireless communication device 10and wave antenna 17 to determine when the pressure of the tire 50 hasreached a certain designed threshold pressure. Because a wave antenna 17changes length based on the force exerted on its conductors, a waveantenna 17 will stretch if placed inside a tire 50 as the pressureinside the tire 50 rises. The wave antenna 17 can be designed so thatthe length of the wave antenna 17 only reaches a certain designatedlength to be capable of receiving signals at the operating frequency ofthe interrogation reader 20 when the tire 50 reaches a certain thresholdpressure.

The process starts (block 70), and the interrogation reader 20 emits asignal 32 through the field 34 as discussed previously for operation ofthe interrogation reader 20 and wireless communication device 10illustrated in FIG. 1. The interrogation reader 20 checks to see if aresponse communication has been received from the wireless communicationdevice 10 (decision 74). If no response signal is received by theinterrogation reader 20 from the wireless communication device 10, theinterrogation reader 20 continues to emit the signal 32 through field 34in a looping fashion (block 72) until a response is received. Once aresponse is received by the interrogation reader 20 from the wirelesscommunication device 10 (decision 74), this is indicative of the factthat the wave antenna 17 coupled to the wireless communication device 10has stretched to a certain length so that the wave antenna's 17operating frequency is compatible with the operating frequency of theinterrogation reader 20 (block 76). The interrogation reader 20 canreport that the tire 50 containing the wireless communication device 10and wave antenna 17 has reached a certain threshold pressure. Note thatthe wave antennas 17 may be any of the wave antennas 17 illustrated inFIGS. 2A, 28, 2C, 2D, 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F,6A, 6B, 6C, and 6E.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a reporting system 77 that may beprovided for the interrogation reader 20. The interrogation reader 20may be coupled to a reporting system 77. This reporting system 77 may belocated in close proximity to the interrogation reader 20, and may becoupled to the interrogation reader 20 by either a wired or wirelessconnection. The reporting system 77 may be a user interface or othercomputer system that is capable of receiving and/or storing datacommunications received from an interrogation reader 20. Thisinformation may be any type of information received from a wirelesscommunication device 10, including but not limited to identificationinformation, tracking information, and/or environmental informationconcerning the wireless communication device 10 and/or its surroundings,such as pressure and temperature. The information may be used for anypurpose. For example, identification, tracking, temperature, forceand/or pressure information concerning a tire 50 during its manufacturemay be communicated to the reporting system 77 which may then be usedfor tracking, quality control, and supply-chain management. If theinformation received by the reporting system is not normal or proper,the reporting system 77 may control the manufacturing operations to stopand/or change processes during manufacture and/or alert personnel incharge of the manufacturing process.

The reporting system 77 may also communicate information received fromthe wireless communication device 10, via the interrogation reader 20,to a remote system 78 located remotely from the reporting system 77and/or the interrogation reader 20. The communication between thereporting system 77 and the remote system 78 may be through wiredcommunication, wireless communication, modem communication or othernetworking communication, such as the Internet. Alternatively, theinterrogation reader 20 may communicate the information received fromthe wireless communication device 10 directly to the remote system 78rather than first reporting the information through the reporting system77 using the same or similar communication mediums as may be usedbetween the reporting system 77 and the remote system 78.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of manufacturing a wave antenna 17 andassembling of the wave antenna 17 to wireless communication devices 10.The process involves eight total steps. Each of the steps is labeled incircled numbers illustrated in FIG. 11. The first step of the processinvolves passing an antenna 17 conductor wire or foil through cogs 120to create the alternating curves in the antenna conductor 17 to form thewave antenna 17. The cogs 120 are comprised of a top cog 120A and abottom cog 120B. The top cog 120A rotates clockwise, and the bottom cog120B rotates counterclockwise. Each cog 120A, 120B has a periphery suchthat each of the cogs 120A, 120B interlock with each other as theyrotate. As the antenna conductor 17 passes through the cogs 120A, 120B,alternating curves are placed in the antenna conductor 17 to form peaks121 and valleys 122 in the antenna conductor 17 to form the wave antenna17.

The second step of the process involves placing tin solder on portionsof the wave antenna 17 so that a wireless communication device 10 can besoldered and attached to the wave antenna 17 in a later step. Asoldering station 123 is provided and is comprised of a first tinningposition 123A and a second tinning position 123B. For every predefinedportion of the wave antenna 17 that passes by the soldering station 123,the first tinning position 123A and second tinning position 123B raiseupward to place tin solder on the left side of the peak 124A and anadjacent right side of the peak 124B so that the wireless communicationdevice 10 can be soldered to the wave antenna 17 in the third step ofthe process. Please note that the process may also use glue, inductionwelding, or other suitable adhesive, instead of solder, to attach thewireless communication device 10 to the wave antenna 17.

The third step of the process involves attaching a wirelesscommunication device 10 to the wave antenna 17. A wireless communicationdevice is attached to the left side of the peak 124A and the right sideof the peak 124B at the points of the tin solder. An adhesive. 126 isused to attach the leads or pins (not shown) of the wirelesscommunication device 10 to the tin solder, and solder paste is added tothe points where the wireless communication device 10 attach to the tinsolder on the wave antenna 17 to conductively attach the wirelesscommunication device 10 to the wave antenna 17. Note that when thewireless communication device 10 is attached to the wave antenna 17, thepeak remains on the wireless communication device 10 that causes a short128 between the two input ports (not shown) of the wirelesscommunication device 10 and the two wave antennas 17 coupled to thewireless communication device 10.

The fourth step in the process involves passing the wirelesscommunication device 10 as connected to the wave antenna 17 through ahot gas re-flow soldering process well known to one of ordinary skill inthe art to securely attach the solder between the leads of the wirelesscommunication device 10 and the wave antenna 17.

The fifth step in the process involves the well-known process ofcleaning away any excess solder that is unused and left over during theprevious soldering.

The sixth step in the process involves removing the short 128 betweenthe two wave antennas 17 left by the peak 124 of the wave antenna 17from the third step in the process. Depending on the type of wirelesscommunication device 10 and its design, the short 128 may or may notcause the wireless communication device 10 to not properly operate toreceive signals and re-modulate response signals. If the wirelesscommunication device 10 operation is not affected by this short 128,this step can be skipped in the process.

The seventh step in the process involves encapsulating the wirelesscommunication device 10. The wireless communication device 10 istypically in the form of an RF integrated circuit chip that isencapsulated with a hardened, non-conductive material, such as a plasticor epoxy, to protect the inside components of the chip from theenvironment. An additional encapsulating material, such as epoxy, mayalso be added over the bonding points of the wireless communicationdevice 10 to the wave antenna 17 to add additional mechanical strainrelief.

The eighth and last step involves winding wireless communication devices10 as attached on the wave antenna 17 onto a reel 130. The wirelesscommunication devices 10 and wave antenna 17 are contained on a stripsince the wave antenna 17 conductor has not been yet cut. When it isdesired to apply the wireless communication device 10 and attached waveantenna 17 to a good, object, or article of manufacture, such as a tire50, the wireless communication device 10 and attached wave antenna 17can be unwound from the reel 130 and the wave antenna 17 conductor cutin the middle between two consecutive wireless communication devices 10to form separate wireless communication device 10 and dipole waveantenna 17 devices.

Please note that there are other methods of manufacturing the waveantenna 17 including using a computer numerical controller (CNC)machine. The manufacturing process may be like that of used for makingsprings. Also note that the wave antenna 17 discussed above andillustrated in FIG. 11 may be sinusoidal-shaped or semi-circle shaped.

FIG. 12A illustrates the short 128 left on the wireless communicationdevice 10 and sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 as a tuning inductance.Some UHF wireless communication devices 10 operate best when a directcurrent (DC) short, in the form of a tuning inductance, is presentacross the wireless communication device 10 and, therefore, the processof removing the short 128 can be omitted. FIG. 12A illustrates analternative embodiment of the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 andwireless communication device 10 where an uneven cog 120 has been usedin step 1 of the process illustrated in FIG. 11 to produce an extendedloop short 128 across the wireless communication device 10. This givesthe required amount of inductance for best operation of the wirelesscommunication device 10 as the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 and theshort 128 are in parallel.

FIG. 12B illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 12A, except thatthe wave antenna 17 is comprised of sections 21 that are semi-circleshaped. All aspects for the sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna 17 embodimentdiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 12A is equally applicable forthis embodiment.

The embodiments set forth above represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustratethe best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the precedingdescription in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilledin the art will understand the concepts of the invention and willrecognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressedherein. It should be understood that these concepts and applicationsfall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited toapplications involving a vehicle tire. It should also be understood thatthe present invention is not limited to any particular type ofcomponent, including but not limited to the wireless communicationdevice 10 and its components, the wave antenna 17, the interrogationreader 20 and its components, the pressure sensor 18, the temperaturesensor 19, the resonating ring 40, the tire 50 and its components, thereporting system 77, the remote system 78, the wheel 100 and itscomponents, the cogs 120, the soldering station 123, and the adhesive124. For the purposes of this application, couple, coupled, or couplingis defined as either a direct connection or a reactive coupling.Reactive coupling is defined as either capacitive or inductive coupling.The wave antenna 17 discussed in this application may besinusoidal-shaped or semi-circle shaped.

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present invention. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a wireless communication device coupled toa sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least onesinusoidal-shaped conductor that operates at a first operatingfrequency; and a tire wherein said wireless communication device ismounted to the inside of said tire and wherein said wirelesscommunication device wirelessly communicates information relating tosaid tire.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information iscomprised from the group consisting of pressure inside said tire andtemperature inside said tire.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidtire comprises: an outer surface, comprising: a circular-shaped treadsurface having a left outer side and a right outer side and an orifice;and said left outer side and said right outer side each fold down at anangle substantially perpendicular to said tread surface to form a leftouter wall and a right outer wall substantially perpendicular to saidtread surface and to form a left inner wall and a right inner wallattached substantially perpendicular to a internal wall on the oppositeside of said tread surface; and wherein said wireless communicationdevice is attached to a wall inside said tire comprised from the groupconsisting of said left inner wall, said right inner wall, and saidinternal wall.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said resonating ringis capacitively coupled to said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein said resonating ring is additionallycoupled to said wireless communication device so that the pressureplaced on said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna when inside said tire willbe placed in whole or in part on said resonating ring to relievemechanical stress on said wireless communication device.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein said tread surface is comprised out ofrubber having a thickness wherein said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna iscontained inside said rubber.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein saidtread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thickness wherein saidwireless communication device is contained inside said rubber.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein said tread surface contains an inner steelbelt inside said rubber wherein said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna iscoupled to said inner steel belt.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinsaid coupling of said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna to said inner steelbelt is comprised from the group consisting of direct coupling,capacitive coupling, and reactive coupling.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, wherein said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna is contained inside saidtread surface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said wirelesscommunication device is contained inside said tread surface.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna iscontained inside said tread surface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna is contained inside saidrubber.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna expands when said tire is placed under pressure.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein said sinusoidal-shaped wave antennaoperates at a second operating frequency when said sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna expands when said tire is placed under pressure.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a resonating ring coupled tosaid sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna wherein said resonating ring forms asecond antenna that operates at a second operating frequency.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device iscoupled to a pressure sensor contained inside said tire that measuresthe pressure inside said tire so that said wireless communication devicecan wirelessly communicate the pressure inside said tire as saidinformation.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wirelesscommunication device is coupled to a temperature sensor contained insidesaid tire that measures the temperature inside said tire so that saidwireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the temperatureinside said tire as said information.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein said wireless communication device is also coupled to a pressuresensor contained inside said tire that measures the pressure inside saidtire so that said wireless communication device can wirelesslycommunicate the pressure and the temperature inside said tire as saidinformation.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least onesinusoidal-shaped conductor has a peak that is thicker than the otherportions of said at least one conductor to reduce the susceptibility ofbreakage of said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna.
 21. The device of claim1, wherein said at least one sinusoidal-shaped conductor is heated toreduce the stress in said at least one conductor to reduce thesusceptibility of breakage of said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna.
 22. Asystem for wirelessly communicating information about a tire,comprising: an interrogation reader; a wireless communication devicecoupled to a sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least onesinusoidal-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency; and atire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the insideof said tire and wherein said wireless communication device wirelesslycommunicates information relating to said tire to said interrogationreader.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein said information iscomprised from the group consisting of pressure inside said tire andtemperature inside said tire.
 24. The system of claim 22, wherein saidsinusoidal-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire is placed underpressure.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein said sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna operates at a operating frequency that is compatible withsaid interrogation reader when said sinusoidal-shaped wave antennaexpands when said tire is placed under a threshold pressure.
 26. Thesystem of claim 24, wherein said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna operatesat a second operating frequency when said sinusoidal-shaped wave antennaexpands when said tire is placed under pressure.
 27. The system of claim22, further comprising a resonating ring coupled to saidsinusoidal-shaped wave antenna wherein said resonating ring forms asecond antenna that operates at a second operating frequency.
 28. Thesystem of claim 27, wherein said resonating ring is capacitively coupledto said sinusoidal-shaped wave antenna.
 29. The system of claim 28,wherein said resonating ring is additionally coupled to said wirelesscommunication device so that pressure placed on said sinusoidal-shapedwave antenna when inside said tire will be placed in whole or in part onsaid resonating ring to relieve mechanical stress on said wirelesscommunication device.
 30. The system of claim 22, wherein said wirelesscommunication device is coupled to a pressure sensor contained insidesaid tire that measures the pressure inside said tire so that saidwireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the pressureinside said tire as said information to said interrogation reader. 31.The system of claim 22, wherein said wireless communication device iscoupled to a temperature sensor contained inside said tire that measuresthe temperature inside said tire so that said wireless communicationdevice can wirelessly communicate the temperature inside said tire assaid information to said interrogation reader.
 32. The system of claim31, wherein said wireless communication device is also coupled to apressure sensor contained inside said tire that measures the pressureinside said tire so that said wireless communication device canwirelessly communicate the pressure and the temperature inside said tireas said information to said interrogation reader.
 33. The system ofclaim 22, wherein said interrogation reader communicates the informationto a reporting system.
 34. The system of claim 33, wherein saidreporting system further communicates the information to a remotesystem.
 35. The system of claim 22, wherein said interrogation readercommunicates the information to a remote system.
 36. The system of claim22, wherein said at least one sinusoidal-shaped conductor has a peakthat is thicker than the other portions of said at least one conductorto reduce the susceptibility of breakage of said sinusoidal-shaped waveantenna.
 37. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least onesinusoidal-shaped conductor is heated to reduce the stress in said atleast one conductor to reduce the susceptibility of breakage of saidsinusoidal-shaped wave antenna.
 38. An apparatus, comprising: a wirelesscommunication device coupled to a semi-circle-shaped wave antennacomprised of at least one semi-circle-shaped conductor that operates ata first operating frequency; and a tire wherein said wirelesscommunication device is mounted to the inside of said tire and whereinsaid wireless communication device wirelessly communicates informationrelating to said tire.
 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein saidinformation is comprised from the group consisting of pressure insidesaid tire and temperature inside said tire.
 40. The apparatus of claim38, wherein said tire comprises: an outer surface, comprising: acircular-shaped tread surface having a left outer side and a right outerside and an orifice; and said left outer side and said right outer sideeach fold down at an angle substantially perpendicular to said treadsurface to form a left outer wall and a right outer wall substantiallyperpendicular to said tread surface and to form a left inner wall and aright inner wall attached substantially perpendicular to a internal wallon the opposite side of said tread surface; and wherein said wirelesscommunication device is attached to a wall inside said tire comprisedfrom the group consisting of said left inner wall, said right innerwall, and said internal wall.
 41. The apparatus of claim 40, whereinsaid resonating ring is capacitively coupled to said semi-circle-shapedwave antenna.
 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said resonatingring is additionally coupled to said wireless communication device sothat the pressure placed on said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna wheninside said tire will be placed in whole or in part on said resonatingring to relieve mechanical stress on said wireless communication device.43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said tread surface is comprisedout of rubber having a thickness wherein said semi-circle-shaped waveantenna is contained inside said rubber.
 44. The apparatus of claim 40,wherein said tread surface is comprised out of rubber having a thicknesswherein said wireless communication device is contained inside saidrubber.
 45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said semi-circle-shapedwave antenna is contained inside said rubber.
 46. The apparatus of claim44, wherein said tread surface contains an inner steel belt inside saidrubber wherein said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna is coupled to saidinner steel belt.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said couplingof said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna to said inner steel belt iscomprised from the group consisting of direct coupling, capacitivecoupling, and reactive coupling.
 48. The apparatus of claim 47, whereinsaid semi-circle-shaped wave antenna is contained inside said treadsurface.
 49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said wirelesscommunication device is contained inside said tread surface.
 50. Theapparatus of claim 49, wherein said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna iscontained inside said tread surface.
 51. The apparatus of claim 38,wherein said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire isplaced under pressure.
 52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein saidsemi-circle-shaped wave antenna operates at a second operating frequencywhen said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire isplaced under pressure.
 53. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprisinga resonating ring coupled to said semi-circle-shaped wave antennawherein said resonating ring forms a second antenna that operates at asecond operating frequency.
 54. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein saidwireless communication device is coupled to a pressure sensor containedinside said tire that measures the pressure inside said tire so thatsaid wireless communication device can wirelessly communicate thepressure inside said tire as said information.
 55. The apparatus ofclaim 38, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to atemperature sensor contained inside said tire that measures thetemperature inside said tire so that said wireless communication devicecan wirelessly communicate the temperature inside said tire as saidinformation.
 56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein said wirelesscommunication device is also coupled to a pressure sensor containedinside said tire that measures the pressure inside said tire so thatsaid wireless communication device can wirelessly communicate thepressure and the temperature inside said tire as said information. 57.The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said at least one semi-circle-shapedconductor has a peak that is thicker than the other portions of said atleast one conductor to reduce the susceptibility of breakage of saidsemi-circle-shaped wave antenna.
 58. The device of claim 38, whereinsaid at least one semi-circle-shaped conductor is heated to reduce thestress in said at least one conductor to reduce the susceptibility ofbreakage of said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna.
 59. A system forwirelessly communicating information about a tire, comprising: aninterrogation reader; a wireless communication device coupled to asemi-circle-shaped wave antenna comprised of at least onesemi-circle-shaped conductor that operates at a first frequency; and atire wherein said wireless communication device is mounted to the insideof said tire and wherein said wireless communication device wirelesslycommunicates information relating to said tire to said interrogationreader.
 60. The system of claim 59, wherein said information isinformation comprised from the group consisting of pressure inside saidtire and temperature inside said tire.
 61. The system of claim 59,wherein said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire isplaced under pressure.
 62. The system of claim 61, wherein saidsemi-circle-shaped wave antenna operates at a operating frequency thatis compatible with said interrogation reader when saidsemi-circle-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire is placed under athreshold pressure.
 63. The system of claim 61, wherein saidsemi-circle-shaped wave antenna operates at a second operating frequencywhen said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna expands when said tire isplaced under pressure.
 64. The system of claim 59, further comprising aresonating ring coupled to said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna whereinsaid resonating ring forms a second antenna that operates at a secondoperating frequency.
 65. The system of claim 64, wherein said resonatingring is capacitively coupled to said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna.66. The system of claim 65, wherein said resonating ring is additionallycoupled to said wireless communication device so that pressure placed onsaid semi-circle-shaped wave antenna when inside said tire will beplaced in whole or in part on said resonating ring to relieve mechanicalstress on said wireless communication device.
 67. The system of claim59, wherein said wireless communication device is coupled to a pressuresensor contained inside said tire that measures the pressure inside saidtire so that said wireless communication device can wirelesslycommunicate the pressure inside said tire as said information to saidinterrogation reader.
 68. The system of claim 59, wherein said wirelesscommunication device is coupled to a temperature sensor contained insidesaid tire that measures the temperature inside said tire so that saidwireless communication device can wirelessly communicate the temperatureinside said tire as said information to said interrogation reader. 69.The system of claim 68, wherein said wireless communication device isalso coupled to a pressure sensor contained inside said tire thatmeasures the pressure inside said tire so that said wirelesscommunication device can wirelessly communicate the pressure and thetemperature inside said tire as said information to said interrogationreader.
 70. The system of claim 59, wherein said interrogation readercommunicates the information to a reporting system.
 71. The system ofclaim 70, wherein said reporting system further communicates theinformation to a remote system.
 72. The system of claim 59, wherein saidinterrogation reader communicates the information to a remote system.73. The system of claim 59, wherein said at least one semi-circle-shapedconductor has a peak that is thicker than the other portions of said atleast one conductor to reduce the susceptibility of breakage of saidsemi-circle-shaped wave antenna.
 74. The system of claim 59, whereinsaid at least one semi-circle-shaped conductor is heated to reduce thestress in said at least one conductor to reduce the susceptibility ofbreakage of said semi-circle-shaped wave antenna.